Foldable musical instrument



NOV. 12, 1935. Q o, MUSSER 2,021,080

FOLDABLE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT FRAME CLA/R @MAR Mussi-R NOV. 12, 1935. l C, o. MUSSER 21,021,080

FOLDABLE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTIFRAME /NVE/VTORS CLA/R OMAR MUSSER Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Clair Omar Mussel', Chicago, Ill., assignor to J. C. Deagan Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application October 11,

13 Claims.

My invention relates to foldable musical instrument frames, and more particularly pertains to a foldable frame for that type of musical instrument having a horizontal group of vibrant toneproducing elements tuned to a musical scale and adapted to be hammer operated.

An object of the invention is to provide such a frame that will be durable; that can be expeditiously arranged into extended supporting position; and that is foldable into a comparatively small unit for storage or transportation.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a frame having a plurality of foldably connected frame sections for supporting and positioning said group of vibrant elements, and standards foldably associated with the frame sections, and wherein there is means foldably associated with said frame parts for holding same in their cooperative supporting arrangement.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a frame with parts mentioned, wherein there is means associated with the standards for enabling the rolling of the frame into position in its supporting arrangement, and wherein` said means is so arranged to be operable in rollably supporting the frame in its folded arrangement.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent by reference to the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the musical instrument embodying the invention, showing the foldable frame in supporting arrangement.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the instrument frame when unfolded or in supporting position, as viewed by an operator or player.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the instrument as viewed from the left end of Fig. 2, with certain parts broken away and parts brought together to reduce the size of the figure.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the instrument, the view being taken substantially on the section line 4 4 of Fig. 2, with certain parts broken away.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the instrument frame embodying the invention, with parts omitted and other cooperating parts shown infolded arrangement.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the frame, the view being taken substantially on the section line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 'l is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the parts as shown in Fig. 5, with certain parts omitted.

Fig. 8 is a detail section taken on the section line 8-8 of Fig. 7, with certain cooperating parts included diagrammatically in dot and dash lines.

1934, Serial No. 747,823

Fig. 9 is a detail section taken on the section line 9-9 of Fig. 1, with certain parts broken away for disclosing other parts in full lines.

Fig. 10 is a rear View of the frame structure in its folded arrangement.

The musical instrument illustrated is of the marmba type, and forms only one embodiment of the invention. The instrument comprises a group of horizontal vibrant tone-producing elements I, in the form of horizontal bars, arranged 10 in two horizontal rows A and B, laterally disposed with respect to each other with the row B arranged slightly above the row A. The group of vibrant bars may be of wood or metal, and are so proportioned or tuned to produce tones of the 15 chromatic scale when set into vibration, usually accomplished by striking same with a hammer or other similar instrument, not shown. It may be stated that the bars of the row A are tuned to the diatonic scale, and the bars of the row B repre- 20 sent semitones or half steps. The bars of each row are threaded upon an endless cord 2, which passes through apertures in the bars near the ends thereof or at their nodal lines or axes, in cooperating to support the bars at said points 25 upon the frame C, of the invention, in the manner later described. Thus the bars of each row are maintained interconnected loosely, upon removal of same from the frame.

Extending under each row of bars, is a horizontal row of resonating elements '4, such as vertically disposed tubes Whose axes are aligned with the geometrical centers of the bars respectively. The tubes of each row are interconnected or mounted between spaced horizontal bars 35 5 supported at their ends on the frame in a manner later described.

The frame C of the invention comprises two foldably connected elongated frame sections D and E, movable with respect to each other into 40 coextensive and folded relations, and adapted, when in coextensive horizontal relation, to carry supported thereon said rows of bars and the rows of resonating tubes. The frame sections are of equal length, and each includes two laterally 45 spaced pairs F and G, of laterally spaced rail members 6, Whose outer ends are suitably connected with an end 'frame member 'l in the form of a bar extending across said ends, and wherein the pairs G are arranged slightly above the 50 pairs F in the supporting relation of the frame sections. The inner ends of the rails of the pairs F and the inner ends of the inner rails of the pairs G are connected by hinges 8 respectively, which hinges comprise pivotally connected plates 9 respectively mounted on the inner faces of the rails at said ends, and whose pivots I0 are arranged coaxially below the plane of the pairs of rails, when same are in supporting relation, with the ends of the hinged rails in contact. By this arrangement of the hinges, the frame sections are foldable into spaced apart parallel relation, as seen in Fig. 10.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, a readily releasable clasp device I i is provided for fastening the abutting ends of the outer rails of the pairs G of the frame sections when same are in supporting relation, and which device also cooperates in holding the frame sections in their said relation. The device includes two plates I2 and I3 mounted on the inner faces, at the inner ends, of said outer rails of the pairs G, respectively. The plates are arranged whereby, in the extended relation of the frame sections, the adjacent ends of the plates contact, with the plate I2 overlapping the inner end of the opposite rail. On the plate i3 is a plate I4 arranged to overlap the plate I2 in cooperating therewith to form an interlock joint for the rail ends, and in which plate I4 is an arcuate notch I5, concentric with the axes of the hinges, for receiving a threaded pin l5 extending from a boss Il on the plate I2. A thumb nut i8 is provided on the pin I6 and has a conical end I9 for entry in the conical recess 20 about the bottom of the notch I5 for rmly securing said rail ends.

The inner ends of each pair of rails are connected by a spacer plate 2| located near said ends, and the inner ends of the inner rails of the pairs of each frame section are connected in spaced relation by a spacer member 22, in the form of a tie rod located near said ends, for interconnecting the pairs of rails of each frame section. The spacer plates are also arranged to support the central portions of the rows of resonating tubes 4 extending between cooperating pairs of rails, with the bars 5 on which the tubes are mounted resting on said spacer plates.

For supporting and positioning the group of vibrant bars upon the frame sections, a row of spaced apart posts 23 is provided along the top of each rail B, which posts are slotted to receive the cords 2 upon which the bars are threaded, and which posts are so arranged on the rails to be disposed between the bars with the row A mounted on the cooperating pairs of rails F, and the row B mounted on the cooperating pairs of rails G, and wherein the posts are arranged to position the rows of bars in accordance with the chromatic scale.

When in supporting relation, the rails of the frame sections extend in converging relation from left to right as viewed in plan (see Fig. l) so that the posts will be in alignment with the nodal axes of the bars whose lengths consequently gradually decrease from the left ends of the rows to the right ends thereof, whereupon the end frame bar i of the frame section E can be of shorter length than that of the end frame bar of the frame section D.

The frame sections D and E are correlatively formed and arranged to carry or support in proper position, the rows of resonating tubes 4. To this end, each end frame bar 'I has two spaced slots 24 located centrally between the rails of the pairs thereon, within which slots the ends of the bars 5 mounting the tubes are received in an easily removable manner.

Each frame section is provided with a standard 25, similar to that of the other section, and being foldably connected therewith, wherein each standard comprises top and bottom parallel bars 26 and 21, respectively, which are suitably mounted at the ends of uprights in the form of tubes 28. Each standard is hingedly connected with the end frame of its respective frame section by hinges 29, and arranged so that the standard has limited movement from an upright supporting position with respect to the rails of its frame section to a position folded thereunder, as seen in Figs. 2 and 6.

The pivots I0 of the hinges 8 are so located that when the standards are in folded relation with their respective frame sections, and the frame sections are then folded together, the standards will be disposed alongside each other in contact, and the axes of the hinge pivots will intersect the plane of the contacting faces of the standards, as seen in Fig. 10.

Mounted under the bottom bars of the standards, are roller devices or casters 30 located respectively at the ends of the bars. The standards are of such length whereby, when same are folded under the rails of their respective frame sections, their casters extend slightly beyond the hinged ends of the rails, and the casters are so suitably located or spaced on each standard so that they clear the hinges 8 of the frame when same is folded, whereby they are free to swivel, and whereupon they are functionable to rollably support the frame in its folded or unfolded arrangement.

Means are provided for holding the standards in supporting relation with their respective frame sections and for holding or locking the frame sections in their supporting relation. The means comprises linkage such as similar foldable struts 3l and 32 respectively connecting the frame sections D and E with their standards. Each strut includes two linkage members 33 and 34, in the form of bars, having inner ends pivotally connected as at 35, with the outer end of the bar 33 being pivotally connected, as at 35, to a lateral bracket 31 on the bottom bar of its respective standard, and the outer end of the bar 34 being pivotally mounted on the tie rod 22 of its respective frame section. The linkage bar 34 has an inner end extension 38 continuing beyond its pivot 35, on which is a lateral pin 39 for engaging a notch 40 in the linkage bar 33, for limiting movement of the linkage bars from folded arrangement with their frame parts, as seen in Fig. 6, to extended supporting arrangement. The linkage bars 33 and 34 of each strut are so proportioned, and their pivotal connections are so arranged whereby, in the folded arrangement of the standards, they will be disposed extending longitudinally in folded relation side by side between the spaced pairs of rails of their respective frame sections.

As best seen in Figs. 6, '7 and 9, mounted on the outer end of the linkage bar 34 of the strut 3| of frame section D, to extend angularly beyond its pivotal connection on the tie rod 22, is a linkage member 4I, in the form of a lever extension, having a hook end portion 42 for engaging the tie rod 22 of the opposite frame section E upon unfolding of the strut to extended supporting relation with its standard, whereupon the frame sections are then locked in coextensive relation.

The linkage also includes a strut member 43. in the form of a bar, pivotally connected at one end, as at 44, to the central portion of the linkage bar 34 of the strut 3l, and having a notch 45 provided at its other end, forming a hook, for

engaging a vthreaded lateral pin 46 mounted centrally on the linkage 'bar 34 of the strut 32, for holding the struts in extended supporting relation with theirrespective'frame parts. A winged nut 41 is provided on the -pin 46 for securely fastening the hooked end of the strut 43 to the bar 34 on which it is connected.

The strut 43 is of such 'length and arrangement'on the strut bar 34on 'which itis pivotally connected, that when folded alongside thereof, it Vwill be foldable therewith to be disposed between Ythe pairs of 'rails of Aits respective frame section.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a foldable frame for a musical instrument of the class described including a horizontal row of vibrant horizontal bars tuned to a musical scale, and a horizontal row of vertical resonating tubes disposed cooperatively below the bars; the combination of a plurality of frame sections each comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongated rail members, means for connecting the pairs of rails of the sections whereby said pairs are movable into coextensive and folded relations, and means associated with the frame sections for supporting and positioning the row of bars upon the rails and supporting the row of tubes to extend between spaced rails of the pairs when the same are arranged in coextensive relation.

2. In a foldable frame for a musical instrument of the class described including two laterally positioned horizontal rows of vibrant horizontal bars tuned to the chromatic scale and a horizontal row of connected vertical resonating tubes disposed cooperatively below each row of bars; the combination of two frame sections each including two laterally spaced pairs of laterally spaced elongated rail members, means for connecting the pairs of rails of one section with those of the other section whereby they are movable into coextensive and spaced apart folded relations with respect thereto, each pair of rails having means for supporting and positioning thereon a portion of a row of said bars, an end frame member connecting the outer ends of the pairs of rails of each section and having means between each pair for removably supporting and positioning one end of a row of said tubes, a standard hingedly connected with each end frame member so as to Vbe foldable with respect to the pairs of rails of the frame member, and foldable linkage for holding each standard in supporting relation with its respective pairs of rails, said linkage and standards arranged whereby upon the folded relation of the pairs of rails of the sections the standards are disposed folded therebetween and the linkage is disposed folded between the pairs of rails of each section.

3. The structure as delned in claim 2, including locking means for locking the cooperating pairs of rails of the frame sections in coextensive relation, said locking means being operably connected with said linkage of a standard so as to be operated thereby when same is unfolded.

4. The structure as defined in claim 2, including locking means for locking the cooperating pairs of rails of the frame sections in coextensive relation, said locking means being arranged and operably connected with said linkage of a standard so as to be operated thereby when same is unfolded, wherein the means includes a linkage member pivotally mounted between adjacent rails of the pairs of a frame section and having a hook end portion and a member mounted between the adjacent rails of the pairs of the other section for engaging the hook portion of the linkage member.

5. In a `foldable frame for a musical instrument including an elongated horizontal group of horizontal vibrant bars tuned and arranged in accordance with the chromatic scale and adapted to be hammer operated, the combination of two frame sections each section comprising two laterally spaced longitudinal bar supporting portions, means for connecting the bar supporting portions of one section with those of the other section whereby they are movable into coextensive and folded relations with respect thereto, a standard foldably connected with each frame section, and foldable means operably associated with the frame sections and standards for holding same in supporting relation, said holding means, standards and bar supporting portions being cooperatively formed and operably connected whereby the holding means is foldable between the spaced bar supporting portions when the standards are folded.

6. In a foldable frame fora musical instrument including an elongated horizontal row of laterally spaced horizontal bars tuned to a musical scale and adapted to be hammer operated, the combination of two elongated frame sections, means for connecting the frame sections whereby they are movable into coextensive and folded relations with respect to each other, means on the frame sections for positioning and supporting said bars,

,supporting means for the frame sections foldably connected therewith, and means operably connected with the supporting means to be operated thereby when moved into supporting rela-- tion for holding the frame sections in coextensive relation and released when said supporting means is moved into folded relation.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the last mentioned means includes an operated hook member pivotally mounted on one frame section and a member for engaging said hook member on the other frame section.

8. The structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the supporting means includes a standard foldably connected with each frame section, and wherein the last mentioned holding means includes an operated hook member pivotally mounted on one frame section and being in perative connection with the standard.

9. The structure as dened in claim 6, wherein the supporting means includes a standard hingedly connected at the outer end of each frame section so as to be foldable with respect thereto, and wherein the holding means includes a foldable strut foldably connected between the standard and its frame section forl holding the standard in upright supporting relation, and wherein there is an operated hook member in cooperative pivotal connection with a frame section and being in operative connection with the strut.

10. The structure as dened in claim 6, wherein the supporting means includes a standard hingedly connected at the outer end of each frame section so as to be foldable thereunder, and wherein the holding means includes a foldable strut foldably connected between each standard and its frame section for holding the standards in upright supporting relation, and including a strut member pivotally connected to one frame section and having an extension provided with a hooked portion, and a member on the other frame section for engaging said hook portion.

11. In a foldable frame for a musical instrument including an elongated horizontal row of horizontal laterally spaced vibrant bars tuned to a musical scale and adapted to be hammer operated, the combination of two similar elongated frame sections, means for hingedly connecting the frame sections whereby they are movable with respect to each other into coextensive relation and so as to be foldable into spaced apart relation, means arranged on the sections for positioning and supporting said bars, and a standard hingedly connected at the outer end of each frame section s0 as to be foldable thereunder whereby the standards when folded are 4snugly disposed side by side between the frame sections in their folded relation.

12. The structure as defined in claim 11, including roller means operably connected with the standards so as to be operable in the folded relation and unfolded relation of the frame sections and standards for rollably supporting same.

13. The structure as defined in claim 11, including casters operably connected with the standards so as to be operable in the folded relation and unfolded relation of the frame sections and standards for rollably supporting same.

CLAIR OMAR MUSSER. 

